MASON BAYS

Mason Bays was born in Pontiac in 1992 and spent most of his childhood in Lake Orion. He was diagnosed with autism between the ages of 3 and 4. He picked up the trumpet during the 3rd grade and had his first lesson at age 12. He graduated from Goodrich High School in 2012, with Magnum Cum Laude Honors. 

His introduction to jazz began in the 9th grade in the Goodrich HS Jazz Band, while his overall musical inspiration came from his first trumpet teacher Caroline Cates. He attended and graduated from Oakland University, with a major in Bachelor of Arts in Music, and a minor in Jazz studies; and have performed with the OU big band with special guest artists: Regina Carter, Scott Gwinell, John Douglas, Rayse Biggs, and others with Pat Cronley, Bill Meyers, Gwen Hemphill, Marcia Allen, John Hill, and others.

About the Quintet: as a group, they perform their own arrangements of covers from internationally and nationally famous artists like Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Chuck Mangione, Herbie Hancock, Motown greats like Stevie Wonder, and more.